Funviralpark President Biden warned travelers to “leave now” or cancel plans amid the massive winter storm that hit the United States on Thursday.
Biden confirmed that the White House has reached out to at least 26 governors in the affected states and is ready to offer federal assistance. FEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) officials said the storm was “not like a snow day,” he told reporters.
Blizzard conditions threaten winter travel plans across the Great Plains and Midwest. The NWS has warned that in many areas, a life-threatening situation can occur for travelers if they become stranded in their vehicles.
“Be aware of local warnings. We have tried to contact governors of 26 states in the affected areas so far,” Biden said.
‘Bomb Cyclone’ Affects Holiday Travel, Snowstorms, Cold Waves Nationwide
President Biden standing outside Marine One.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)
Winter storm conditions in Cambridge, Minnesota, Wednesday afternoon.
(Damien Nutzel/Weather Trader/TMX)
The storm is expected to bring record low temperatures over the Christmas weekend in many areas.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport will see a record 7.4 inches of snow in the next 24 hours on Wednesday, with windy and cold conditions expected to continue over the weekend.
In an advisory Thursday morning, the NWS said, “Widespread light to moderate snowfall is expected in the region, with localized totals of more than a foot south and east of the Great Lakes, and lake-impacted snow expected through Saturday. It is expected to continue,” he said. .
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“The total snowfall may not look very impressive in this storm, but if very strong winds persist for a long time, blizzard conditions It can stop travel and strain infrastructure.”
People shovel snow outside the Roma Grocery store northeast of Bellingham, Wash., on Tuesday morning. Heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet have disrupted travel across the Pacific Northwest, causing widespread flight cancellations and unsafe driving conditions.
(AP Photo/Lisa Baumann)
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“Severe snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour and gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour can result in near-zero visibility and significant snowstorms and snow drifts, which can lead to dangerous conditions. It is impossible to travel by land and air for the holiday weekend.”
